Network 18's 'Topper' on prowl

Network18 plans to roll out an education and an entertainment channel soon

The countdown & #BANNER1 & # has begun. Exactly, 53 days are remaining for Network18's soon to be launched 'edutainment' channel. The developments are being kept under wraps and sources inform agencyfaqs! that Topper, as the channel is called, will be rolled out by the November end.

The source further informs that a new company has been floated in association with Network18, which holds a majority stake, to launch at least four channels. Topper is the first progeny of this joint venture. Sunil Khanna, erstwhile chief executive officer of Reliance ADAG's Bluemagic, is known to be a partner in this newly formed venture. In June this year, Khanna had quit Reliance to be a part of this new venture. Interestingly, in August 2006, Khanna had quit Dish Television as its CEO. Khanna's stake in the new venture could not be ascertained.

Currently, the recruitment drive for the channel is nearing completion. Sources inform that Network18 is aggressively hiring educators to drive the content of this channel.

Network 18 had been looking for a creative agency for sometime. According to sources Vyas Giannetti Creative (VGC) has been assigned the creative duties for the same. Though, both the client and the agency declined to confirm the development.

For the record, Network18 is a group holding company of TV18, Global Broadcast News (GBN), Web18 and Studio18.